Chapter 3

Ariana’s POV

I walked away from them and sat in a corner for a fruit punch. Thankfully, Blair didn’t perch around me anymore since she saw Jake. I studied him. Everyone around seemed to fear and respect him, even more than Blair. It made me wonder who exactly his family was.

Maybe he was just famous for his looks. I moved closer to the corner, wanting to be one with it. I didn’t want anyone to see me and start asking who I was. There was one thing I noticed about Blair already, and it was the fact that she enjoyed being the center of attention.

So, I wouldn’t want anything that would make her accuse me of trying to steal her glory. It was her party afterall and despite being nice now, I still had to be careful with her.

“You’re not even trying to blend in,” I heard a voice say behind me.

I turned to see Jake. I froze when I saw his face up close. This boy right in front of me was indeed breathtaking! He had the bluest eyes I had ever seen, and the most perfect lips. His nose was straight to perfection, and his whole face was just…

“Hello,” he waved in front of me.

I found my voice immediately. “I’m blending in.”

He raised a brow. “By trying to enter the wall?”

“I’m not…”

“Someone is lying,” he teased.

I gulped and looked in the direction of Blair. She seemed busy with her guests who were probably from another school.

“Do you want to get away from all the noise?” He asked.

I looked at him suspiciously. “You mean…”

He took my hand, and I almost melted right on the spot. He discreetly walked out with me and stopped in a garden behind a tall fence. I was confused when he took a seat and asked me to do the same.

“I usually come here when I can’t bear it anymore,” he finally said.

I slowly sat beside him. “You come here a lot?”

“Yeah. Whenever Blair has a party, I get invited.”

I was beginning to see the picture. Jake must be her boyfriend. And did she send him to bond with me?

“Naturally,” I said.

He grimaced and I became curious. “How are you settling in?”

“It's been pretty good,” I admitted. “But I don't see myself being like you all.”

“Gee, thanks for letting me know I'm like them.”

I laughed. “Of course, you all are rich kids.”

He smiled. “That makes us all, including you.”

“Gee, thanks,” I said with another laugh.

He laughed this time. “Hey, that's my line!”

Maybe he's not like the rest of them, calculating and scheming. Maybe he was just a regular person who happened to be rich. When we both stopped laughing, he became serious.

“You're actually fun to talk to. Everyone is always saying what I want to hear. I never have a genuine conversation with anyone.”

“Because they're afraid of you?” I asked cautiously.

He shrugged, and I didn't probe further.

“So,” I inched closer. “What's my sister like?”

“Mean,” he deadpanned.

My eyes widened. “That's no way to describe someone you love!”

“I don't love her,” he said dryly.

My eyes went rounder in horror. “But she's your girlfriend!”

“Like hell, she is.”

“I don't understand. I thought Blair was your girlfriend.”

“No, she's not.”

Then, it dawned on me. Jake was Blair's unrequited love. And at that moment, I didn't know what to do with what I had just discovered. If he didn't want to be with her, why did he keep coming to her party? He could as well just decline the invite.

“So, why are you at her party then?” I asked.

“We're family friends, and I've known her since the third grade. She's used to having her way. The last time I didn't attend her party, she had some people vandalize my car and claimed she didn't know who did it.”

I gasped. “That's horrible.”

He seemed to be hiding something, and I wasn't sure what it was.

“Even worse, our families are business partners. I can't risk…”

“There you are,” I heard Blair say.

I jolted and scrambled off the seat. Jake on the other hand looked unaffected by her presence.

“Blair,” I said breathlessly.

She looked at us both, a look of fury flashing her eyes before they became completely normal again. She smiled and took my hand.

“Come, let me introduce you to everyone,” then she looked at Jake. “It's cold, let's go in.”

We went in and stayed with Blair and her friends. Jake kept looking at me, and I kept blushing.

Help! I just met this guy. Why am I blushing this hard?

Blair stood on the decorated stage and clinked her glass with a fork. “Attention, everyone.”

Everyone stopped talking at once, wanting to hear what she had to say. She had a short, blue dress on. It was then I realized that I was still wearing my lounge pants and a tank top. It made me seem different from the rest of them.

Who am I fooling? I am indeed different from them.

“As some of you are aware,” she began. “This party is for my dearest sister.”

I blinked at her words. For me? Didn’t she make it clear that she didn’t want me here? Now, I was genuinely confused. Everyone looked at me, clapping in excitement. In fact, they were way too excited.

“Come up here, Ari,” she said.

Elena gave me a little push, and I soon found myself on the stage. Blair held my hand and smiled sweetly.

“This is my sister from the slums. All her life, she has never been to Beverly Hills. Since this is her first time, we should welcome her, shouldn’t we?”

“Yes!” came the loud cheer from everyone in the crowd.

“Since she falls under the category of the poor, she should be given a little special treatment.”

“Yes!” the cheer was even louder.

That was when I realized what was happening. I tried to get off the stage, but she was quick. She pulled me by the hair and laughed.

“Isn’t it lovely to finally have someone to represent the poor in our school?”

“Blair, what are you doing?” I asked in horror.

“Introducing you to my world.”

“Is this a form of punishment?”

She laughed. “Oh no. I’m simply showing you what it’s like to live in my world.”

I looked at the audience, spotting Elena looking at us with glee in her eyes. How could people with such pretty faces be so cunning?

“Everybody, now!” Blair screamed.

Before I could fathom what was happening, they began throwing cakes and juice at me. I saw Blair smirk before emptying a bottle of vodka on my head. I screamed as they all began to laugh at me.

My eyes met Jake's and I felt betrayed when he didn't do anything. I was sure that he had so much influence among his peers. Yet, he stood there, sipping an energy drink as he watched me being humiliated. It looked like his favorite show was on. I was wrong, he was just like the rest of them!

Alcohol got into my eyes and I screamed. Blindly, I made my way down as they continued to hurl things at me. I could still hear Blair’s voice on the stage as she gave a lecture on how poor people should be treated.

“Stop this instantly, all of you!” a voice thundered as warm, strong hands enveloped me.

Was that my father?